No biggie, and no apology necessary.
I would hope that fellow skaters who were aware all along were trusted friends with whom Ando chose to share the happy news -- in strict confidence.
What I think is remarkable and admirable is that those within the skating community who knew Ando's secret (even if they did not hear it directly from her) evidently were careful not to let it spread to the public at large. :thumbsup:
I believe I read earlier in this thread that an unconfirmed rumor had been circulating. But her official announcement still seemed to catch fans off guard in Japan and elsewhere.
I guess that skaters have plenty of experience protecting each other's privacy -- re programs, injuries, love lives, etc.
But I think that they still deserve a lot of credit regarding Ando's highly personal situation.
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20130721/fig13072119060000-n1.html
The JSF is going to set the minimum technical scores for Ando whether to designate as a national team athlete. Details are yet to be decided. If Ando could not pass the minimum at Eastern sectionals, she can't participate international competitions before the Olympics, and her chance for Sochi is doomed. They are also making a condition to land five different triples.
I believe this new norm is an idea of Hidehito Ito (JSF figure skating director). He is the one who publicly denied the possibility of preferential treatments for a "mother athlete" just the next day of Ando's disclosure. It is now apparent that the 3rd skater is likely to be chosen by technical merits. Miyahara is in the better position. Ito has personally expressed expectations for Miyahara (a young skater who can lead Japanese ladies after Sochi). She is mentally stable and technically consistent. Unless the caller is unseasonably stringent, she has the best chance for Sochi after Asada and Murakami.
Sigh. I hope they don't hold her up like the USFSA is holding up Agnes and strip a (potentially) more-deserving skater of a trip to the Olympics. Her jumps are so tiny!
^ but they have already Mao, Akiko and Kanako, can't go beyond them.
(the side issue is, Miki's mother has listed as one of conditions for Miki to marry Nanri, going to Sochi...)
^ but they have already Mao, Akiko and Kanako, can't go beyond them.
(the side issue is, Miki's mother has listed as one of conditions for Miki to marry Nanri, going to Sochi...)
Oh, who could forget what happened in 2006 ...It's not a matter of height but the federation's backing.
I think the 3rd spot will go to the "most promising" young skater seen by JSF officials.
[/B]
People say a lot things about Miki's mom that I hope are not true. Otherwise, she is a nightmare
She has a pride having raised her daughter to the world champion by herself. (Her husband passed away when Miki was very young.)
It's just hard to take seriously a skater who is only about 4"8 skating against the big girls. It's fine to be that small as a Junior but being that tiny a skater as a Senior that small just lacks the power and bigger jumps of a older more mature skater.